Las Vegas Burn Injury Lawyers

Burn injuries are one of the most common injuries that a person can experience. According to the American Burn Association’s (ABA) burn incident fact sheet, over 486,000 people have been admitted to hospitals for burn related accidents and incidents. As non-fatal burns are the leading cause of morbidity, the amount of medical costs associated with a burn recovery is not only emotionally draining but is financially exhausting as victims may have to undergo extensive hospitalization or undergo cosmetic surgery.

If you or a loved one has ever suffered from a traumatic burn injury due to an accident then you may be entitled to financial compensation. Regardless of what kind of intensive care you or a loved one have been in, a burn injury has long-lasting consequences and an extensive recovery process.

Here at West Coast Trial Lawyers, we have a dedicated team of burn injury attorneys in Las Vegas who are available 24/7 to assist you throughout the entire legal process of a personal injury lawsuit. We’ve recovered over $1.6 billion in financial compensation to our clients who have become victims of unfortunate accidents. With years of experience handling traumatic burn injuries, we are confident that we will get you the compensation that you deserve for your losses. 

We run on a contingency-fee basis, meaning that you pay no fees until you win. To schedule a FREE case consultation, you can get in touch with us by calling (213) 927-3700 or by filling out our quick online contact form.

What Is A Burn Injury?

According to the World Health Organization, a burn injury is defined as an injury to the skin primarily caused by heat, radiation, radioactivity, electricity, or chemicals. Due to the different types of burn injuries, every type of burn injury has its own level of severity, mortality rate, and a specific way of treatment.

Burn Injury Statistics

The ABA has reported in a burn injury fact sheet that over 60% of US hospitalizations were due to burn injury accidents and has calculated that hospitals admit over 200 patients every year for burn injuries. Moreover, the U.S Fire Administration has reported in an infographic that about 353,500 fires occur every year and out of that, 2,840 have unfortunately perished, 11,400 have sustained burn injuries, and over $8,855,900,000 have been lost in damages.

In Nevada, the state’s fire marshal reported in an annual report that over 9,000 fire related incidents have occurred in 2022. In addition, a team of surgeons from the University of Las Vegas School of Medicine discovered in a recent study that the number of burn injury admission is parallel to the increasing rise in heat. Considering how heat waves are almost a daily occurrence in Las Vegas, the chances of getting a serious burn injury is very likely.

What Are The Different Types of Burn Injuries?

If you are filing a claim for a severe burn injury, the basis of your claim will be largely dependent on the severity and scale of the inflicted damage. As burn injuries will vary on a case-by-case basis, it is important to understand the different types of burn injuries in order to correctly hire a personal injury attorney and receive the maximum compensation for your injury as possible.

First Degree Burns

First degree burns are one of the most common and frequent burn injuries to occur. According to the National Institute of Health, first-degree burns are typically caused when skin is directly  exposed to temperatures between 110°F (43.3°C) and 115°F (46.1°C) for a short duration.

Unlike second or third degree burns, which are more severe, first-degree burns only affect the top layer of the skin. As a result, first-degree burns are classified as superficial burns that may become red and painful, however, they can be treated at one’s home.

Second Degree Burns

Second degree burns are a more serious burn that affects beyond the epidermis (outer layer of the skin) and into the dermis (the deeper layers of skin). While it is not as severe as third or fourth degree burns, second degree burns damage the affected area of the skin and cause swelling, blistering, and redness.

This burn injury is more painful than a first degree burn, however, these injuries will still be able to heal on their own in about a 2-3 week time period as long as appropriate care and first aid has been applied. 

Third Degree Burns

One of the more severe types of burn injuries, a third degree burn destroys both the epidermis and dermis, and in some cases, damages the underlying bones, muscles, and tendons. Due to the depth of the burn, there is no immediate pain in a third degree burn because it burns off the nerve endings in the skin.

The recovery time of a third degree burn will vary on the size and location of the burn. For small sized burns, it will take around three weeks to heal, meanwhile larger and more prominent burns may take several years to fully heal. However, no matter what sized burn you are afflicted with, it will require attentive care to ensure that it doesn’t get worse.

Fourth Degree Burns

Fourth degree burns are widely considered to be the most severe and potentially life threatening burn injury due to the scope of the damage it does on a person’s skin, muscles, and bones. Much like a third degree burn, there is no immediate sense of pain as the skin’s nerve endings are burned off and destroyed.

If it is not treated immediately, fourth degree burns are extremely fatal and those who survive one will require surgery in order for those injuries to heal properly. Despite the lack of immediate pain, the damage a fourth degree burn inflicts goes deeper than most and in the most serious scenarios drastic measures such as amputation is required in order for the victim to survive. 

Chemical Burns

Chemical burns are a serious burn injury where tissue damage is caused by a harsh or corrosive substance. Strong acids such as drain cleaners, paint thinners, battery acids, and disinfectants can cause chemical burns and their accessibility in everyday products makes them one of the most common as it can happen to anybody if they are not careful when handling these harsh materials.

While the damage is dependent on the location, size, and strength of the burn, it is vital those affected by one seek medical attention immediately to prevent the damage from becoming worse. In some of the most severe cases, a chemical burn can cause permanent tissue damage, scarring, and even death.

Electrical Burns

Electrical burns are when a person comes into contact with an open electrical current and their skin is burnt from the electrical spark. This particular type of burn injury mainly causes surface damage to the skin, but it sometimes affects the deeper parts of the tissues due to the nature of electrical currents.

As such, any contact with an open electrical current or through a conductor can cause an electrical burn injury. Some of the most common examples include stun guns, faulty electrical wiring, and even lightning. While the physical pain for this type of burn will vary on the severity, however, it is important to note that an electrical burn can potentially disrupt vital organs such as the brain and heart.

Radiation Burns

Radiation burns (or sometimes known as radiation dermatitis) is a type of burn that is a common side effect of external beam radiation therapy. Radiation therapy is often used to treat some forms of cancer by directly delivering radiation externally. While the treatment itself isn’t painful, it does cause some mild burns that will make a patient’s skin sore, peel itch, and turn red. However, these types of burns are typically done by licensed professionals in order to treat more serious illnesses such as cancer.

Thermal Burns

Thermal burns are a type of burn that is resulted from making contact with heated objects, such as hot liquids, steam, or flame. This burn injury tends to primarily cause surface damage to the skin much like an electrical burn. However, they should not be confused with one another, because a thermal burn can cause just as much damage as a standard fire-induced burn injury. Much like the other types of burns, the severity and fatality of a thermal burn is going to be entirely dependent on the scale, location, and depth.

How To Prove Liability In A Burn Injury Case

Experiencing serious burn injuries can be physically, emotionally, and financially draining. If you have been involved in an accident that has resulted in a serious burn injury, it is important to determine liability as quickly as possible in order to recover compensation for your damages. Section 41.1395 of Nevada’s Revised Statutes defines liability by whoever is more at fault of an incident.

However, section 171.085 and section 171.090 of Nevada’s legislation places a statute of limitations on all gross misdemeanors and felonies. This means that you have up to two years to file a misdemeanor and four years for a felony. If you wait to file a burn injury lawsuit, you risk losing the right to make your claim to those responsible and recover any damages for your severe burns.

Whether you have suffered serious burns from a car accident or due to someone’s negligence, if you need a Las Vegas burn injury lawyer then do not hesitate to reach out at West Coast Trial Lawyers, because our team of attorneys are experienced in handling personal injury cases and are confident to help you in your case.

How Much Is a Burn Injury Case Worth in Las Vegas?

While burn injury claims will vary widely on the severity and the type of injury, the estimated average of a burn injury claim in Las Vegas will be worth anywhere within the five to six figure range. However, damages and liability will ultimately determine the worth and value of a case.

Liebeck v. McDonald’s Restaurants was a famous example of how liability and damages can determine the value of a burn injury claim, as the plaintiff was hospitalized for eight days, went through skin grafting surgery, and followed through two years of medical treatment for third degree burns after spilling scalding hot coffee onto herself.

Whether you have suffered economical, non-economical, or punitive damages, an experienced burn injury lawyer will be able to resolve a case for hundreds of thousands of dollars, ensuring that burn injury victims are properly compensated for their medical bills and any long-term damages.

Our Las Vegas Burn Injury Lawyers Are Here To Help

If you or a loved one has suffered a burn injury due to an accident, you may be able to sue to recover damages. As severe burn injuries require ongoing medical care and treatment, it is important to know all possible legal options to ensure you receive fair compensation.

Should you choose to pursue legal action, our trusted and experienced Las Vegas burn injury attorneys at West Coast Trial Lawyers are readily available to help with your personal injury claim. We have recovered over $1.6 billion in financial compensation for our clients and we will continue to fight for them.

Our team of burn injury attorneys are experienced in personal injury law and they handle each case with integrity to ensure our clients get the best possible financial compensation. To schedule a FREE consultation, we welcome you to reach out to our 24/7 legal team by calling us at (213) 927-3700 or completing our easy online contact form.

Most Frequently Asked Questions About Burn Injuries in Las Vegas

What Should I Do if I Have Suffered a Burn Injury?

If you have suffered a burn injury, it is important that you take all necessary steps to appropriately treat the burn. If your injury is more severe than you can handle then seek medical professionals immediately to prevent any long-term complications such as permanent disfigurement, permanent scarring, and ongoing severe pain.

How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit for a Burn Injury?

If you wish to file a burn injury lawsuit, you have about two years to file one due to section 171.090 of Nevada’s legislation regarding the statute of limitations. However, it is important to note that the severity of the injury will be dependent on your burn injury claim. While not much can be done in regards to natural burn injuries such as sun burns, negligent induced burn injuries can be filed and resolved.

How Much Compensation Can I Claim for a Burn Injury?

Depending on the nature and liability of your burn injury, the estimated average of a Las Vegas burn injury claim will be worth anywhere between the five to six figure range. However, in some extreme cases the compensation can be geared towards the higher end of the six figure range.